The Baroque and Rococo

Baroque and Rococo Period1600-1750

• In history:– Discovery of the telescope by Galileo– Founding of Jamestown settlement in America– Absolute rule by Louis XIV, XV of France– Attempt by pope to make the Catholic religion

more popular– Completion of St. Peter’s Square in Rome (Vatican)

Europe during the Baroque Period

Baroque Painting 1600-1750- Dramatic- Lush textures, details- Chiaroscuro Lighting - strong contrast between

light and dark to achieve contoured form- also includes some less dramatic painters such

as Vermeer- Artists trying to lend drama and life to

religious scenes- Gentileschi, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt,

Vermeer

Caravaggio, The Calling of St. Matthew

Artimesia Gentileschi, Judith Beheading Holofernes

Pieter Paul Rubens - The Massacre of the Innocents

Rembrandt (van Rijn)

Widely considered to be one of the greatest artists of all time.Focused mainly on portraiture, landscape and narrative painting (painting that tells a story)

Self-portrait

Rembrandt – The Night Watch

Note:Use of Chiaroscuro

Sense of Movement

Rubens - The Three Graces

Splendour, Mirth, Good Cheer

Johannes Vermeer - Girl with a Water Pitcher

Johannes Vermeer – Woman Holding a Balance

What is depicted?

What is the subject matter /Theme?

What is the symbolism?

Still Life Painting in the Dutch Golden Age (Baroque Period)

• Rich in Symbolism – objects that symbolize ideas

• Often depicts items of wealth that could only be obtained through overseas trade (Dutch East India Company)

• Themes of death, decay, wealth, decadence

Vanitas Still Life

Jacques De Gheyn

1603

What is the subject matter?

What is the theme?

Claesz, Still Life with Skull and Writing Quill

Davidz de Heem, Banqueting Still Life

Claesz, Still Life with Oysters and Nuts

De Beyeren,

Still Life with Lobster and Fruit

Rococo Architecture and Design

• Intended to convey wealth • Especially popular in Catholic countries • Louis XIII, Louis XIV of France

• Word Rococo is derivative of the French term rocaille, which means “rock and shell garden ornamentation”.

What does it look like?

• Move away from symmetry to more fluid designs

• Very elaborate and “gaudy”Quote:

“Rococo was a lifestyle. An opulent, playful embrace of ornate furniture and sculpture, ornamental mirrors, and florid tapestry and architecture. 18th century swag.”

Swag these days …

Rococo furniture – fluid lines, ornate, gold

Versailles

Palace of Louis XIV, Built between 1661 And 1710

Queen’s Chamber,Versailles

Versailles – Hall of Mirrors

Versailles Exterior

Rococo Churches – “teeming with life”

Rococo Painting

So, what is the catalyst here?

• Effort to popularize religion == more dramatic scenes

• Absolutist rulers and great difference in wealth between rich and poor == status-conscious art

• Developments in Renaissance == artists still looking to perfect their interpretation of “reality”